Fractured (Dividing Line #4) Read Free Page B

everyone’s waiting to see you,” she said before Rachel could ask any more awkward questions.
    Inside the house Battler and Bruiser were waiting and both locked her in suffocating hugs. Rachel loved her new life but only now did it strike her how much she’d missed these people, which was ironic because they were the reason she’d moved away. Declan was next, who had slotted into the Maguire fold very well. His younger brothers Charlie and Kian were present too, who had made the permanent move to Manchester from Ireland. They were friendly enough, even though Rachel had never met them before.
    Amber greeted her like an old friend and Rachel was pleased. Josh was a big handsome boy and looked like a mini Mikey. They’d done the promised DNA test and confirmed he was the father but Rachel had thought it unnecessary. You could tell just by looking at him. Amber let Rachel hold Josh and she cradled him gently, as always thoughts of her own lost son creeping in, they always did when she saw a baby boy.
    Finally the crowd parted and the moment she dreaded arrived. Alex was standing at the window, pale with dark shadows around his eyes and Rachel felt bad for him. He’d lost his father, uncle, brother and now his mother in just a few short years.
    “Alright Rach?” he said, voice quiet and hoarse.
    “I’m so sorry Alex,” she replied, handing Josh back to Amber.
    He ran an awkward hand through his hair. “Thanks for coming.”
    She wound her arms around his neck and hugged him, her muscles stiff with tension, fearing his response. It was a relief when he hugged her back. The tension in the room relaxed a few notches.
    Now that was over Rachel could focus her thoughts on Martina. The house just wasn’t alive without her. So much had happened here; Ryan had saved Martina’s life after she’d been attacked by someone she thought was a trusted friend. She’d nursed Rachel back to health after she was assaulted by one of Ryan’s brothers and her ex-boyfriend. Frank had died on the floor of this very room after a fight with his brother Terry, who was dead himself, at Alex’s hands. It distressed her that such a lovely family home had borne witness to so much horror and death.
    “The car should be here in a few minutes,” said Mikey.
    Everyone stood quietly together in a semi-circle, hardly daring to speak for fear of marring the sombreness of the occasion. Rachel moved to stand with her husband and daughter.
    “Leah,” said Alex with a gentle smile, kneeling down before her. “You remember me, don’t you? Uncle Alex?”
    She nodded, face white and lips pursed.
    “You have grown up. You’re quite the little lady now. Is that a new outfit?”
    She nodded again, melting to him slightly because he’d noticed her new clothes.
    “You look beautiful Sweetheart. My mum would be so proud.”
    This statement was too much for Leah and a tear slid down her cheek. Rachel’s heart went out to her, she was trying so hard to be brave.
    “Why don’t you come in the lead car with us?” Alex said to Leah.
    She looked up at Ryan and took his hand. “I want to go with Mum and Dad.”
    Rachel didn’t miss the flare of anger in Alex’s eyes, divining the fact that she’d called Ryan dad had made him mad.
    “You were her family too Leah, you should come with us,” pressed Alex, struggling to keep his voice soft.
    “I want to go with Mum and Dad,” she repeated, lip wobbling.
    “Please don’t push her Alex, she’s upset enough,” said Rachel. She tried to say this as gently as she could but Alex still gave her a haughty look and straightened up. “The car’s here,” he said in a harsh tone before striding past them to the door.

CHAPTER 3
     
    There was a huge turnout at the church. Martina had been very popular but there were a lot of curious onlookers too, hoping to catch a glimpse of a notorious face. Rachel and Ryan’s return had sparked a lot of excitement and they were stared at as they milled around outside,